Photosetting method and machine

ABSTRACT

A photosetting machine uses a matrix carrying a spacing mark representing the proper spacing corresponding to the associated symbol. The selected symbol is photographically reproduced and simultaneously the spacing mark is sensed to determined the proper spacing of the symbol on the reproduction. The sensed spacing is stored and is then used, immediately after completion of the photographic reproduction step, to control the transport of the photographic material by an amount corresponding to the desired spacing. Selection of a further symbol is carried out during the spacing transport movement. Means are described for scanning the spacing mark, adjusting the spacing of the photographic reproduction automatically on adjustment of the size of the image of the symbol, and for adjusting the reproduced spacing by a constant amount.

United States Patent is] 3,695,155 Guldenpfennig 451 Oct, 3, 1972 PHOTOSE I'IING METHOD AND 5 3,455,216 7/1969 Buckingham ..95/4.5

MACHINE I Primary Examiner-John M. Horan [72] Inventor. :22; Guldenpfennig, Berlin, Ger- E Ross [73] Assigneez. H. Berthold Messinglinieniabrlk und [57] ABSTRACT Sc mi my A photosetting machine uses a matrix carrying a spac- [22] Filed: March 30, 1970 ing mark representing the proper spacing corresponding to the associated symbol. The selected symbol is [21] Appl' 23788 photographically reproduced and simultaneously the spacing mark is sensed to determined the proper spac- [30] ForeignApplication Priority Data ing of the symbol on the reproduction. The sensed I spacing is stored and is then used, immediately after 196.9 Germany 19 I8 7623 completion of the photographic reproduction step, to control the transport of the photographic material by (g1. 5x59157123 an amount corresponding to the desired Spacing [58] Field 95/4 5 Selection of a further symbol is carried out during the spacing transport movement. Means are described for scanning the spacing mark, adjustingthe spacing of [56] Referenm the photographic reproduction automatically on ad- UNITED STATES PATENTS justment of the size of the image of the symbol, and 2 978 969 4/1961 Heine 5 for ad usting the reproduced spacing by a constant u L 3,122,075 2/1964 Klyce ..9s/4.5 amou 3,098,416 7/1963 Frankel ..95/4.5 8 Clains, 2 Drawing Figures 1 PHOTOSE'ITING METHOD AND MACHINE.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION THE INVENTION relates to a method bf and apparatus for photosetting from amatrix having for each symbol a character representing the. spacing ap-. propriate to that symbol.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In known apparatus of this kind, described e.g. in German Specifications DAS 1277014 and DBP 1160305, the procedure is asfollows:

Firstly the desired symbol is brought into thelightpath of the photosetting optics, the matrix islockedin position, and the symbol is illuminated. Next the spacmatrix can only be unlocked and a further. symbol brought into position after the latter transport movement has been completed. This movement-cannot becarried out as fast as is desired since during the-transla-v tional relative motion the photographic material,

together with the cassette, with not inconsiderable mass, has to be moved.

OBJECT F 'IHEINVENTION Anaimof the invention is toeliminate thedelay thus inherent in the known photosetting machines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention,,the spacing markzis sensed or scanned during illuminationaor exposureof the associated symbol. The requiredvaluesof thespacing movement established. in this way: is storedifor a: short while- Directly after the illuminationor-"exposure:

of the symbol the stored spacingvalue. is used-to carry out the spacing movement. During; this movement another matrix symbol can be brought intoposition- In this way the photosetting time is reducedby '30- to 50' percent.

The scanningof the mark is carriedzout preferably by meansof scanning optics consisting; of 2111311117,.31'6011':

densor, an objective lens, a swinging reflector-and a:

photo-electronic transducer;. the:- swinging; mirror. is

moved' by a motor through an electromagnetic coupling, a gear system andtlever transmission untilthe mark releases a photo-electronic signal: in the transducer, the magnitude of the swing then correspondingto the thickness of the relevant symbol in. the scale of the original, i.e; the matrix.

The magnitude. of the swing can be: determined.

For originals with spacing marks. whose separation from a zero position corresponds'tothe spacing ofthe,

relevant symbol, the initial position of the scanning may be regulated by a stop, e.g.. a stop arm on the shaft lying against a pin on a wheel. In thisway the image spacing canbe reduced or increased by a set amount independent of the letter size.

To further accelerate the photosetting process the result recorded in the registercan be transferred to a second register such that the spacing transport is con trolled by a step-motor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE "DRAWING The inventionwillnow be described in detail in relation to an embodiment thereof, given byway of example only, andshownin the accompanying. drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows part of a. photosetting machine, comprising means for sensing symbol spacing;

FIG. 2 is a blockdiagram of circuitry associated with the sensing means of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 shows further parts .of the machine, comprising; means for obtaining a. photoelectric image of selectedsymbols.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION The machine illustrated is of the kind having a rotatable matrix disk Z'carryingaplurality of symbols l,.shown.as letters, imageof whichareprojected selectively onxphotosensitive material, e.g. film or paper, on av drum 49. Symbol selection is effected in known manner by rotation of disk2 tobring theselected symbolinto the path ofv light from a lamp 4. The light path extends fromlamp 4 to the photosensitive material by way of an optical system'comprising a condenser 5, an electromagnetic shutter (not shown), a prism 44, reversing prism 45, lens 46,. reversing prism 47 and prism 48.

Afterzexposure of the photosensitive material. to a. selected. symbol, disk 2 is rotated; to select a further symbol and drum-49 is rotated to prevent unexposed material. from imaging of; the further symbol; the amount, of rotation, i.e. the symbol spacing on the photosensitive material, is-controlled inamanner to be described, by index. marks 3associated with the individualsyrnbols ondisk 2. Rotation of drum 49 is effected by' a. stepping motor 56 through a. splined shaft Imeshingwith a. gear 54fixed to drum49'.

The drum 491s journalled in a: carrier 50 for axial movementalong a slide 5 under the action of a lead. screw. 53', for the image-forming of successive lines of symbols.

Prisms44; 48, and-lens 46 are'carried by a'stationary support 39 which also carries a guide rail 38 along whichcan slide supports 25; 40'carrying prisms 47, 45 respectively. The supports are interconnected by a linkage 4.1 such that on movement of support 25 the image projected into the photo-sensitive material will I selected symbol 1 into the light path, and is then locked inpositionwhilezthe symbol is imaged on the'photosensitive material. In this position of the disk 2, the index mark 3-associated with the selected symbol 1 isalso illuminated, by the same or an additional optical system. In the machine illustrated, the mark 3 is illuminated by lamp 4 via lenses 5, 6 but the mark 3 is imaged at a phototransducer 9 via a mirror 7 which can pivot to scan (sweep) the sharp image 3 of the mark 3 widthwise onto the phototransducer 9, thereby causing the latter to provide an output pulse.

Pivoting of mirror 7 is effected by a long lever arm 8 rigid with the mirror which arm bears on a knife-edge 16 by way of a pin 17. This pin is carried by an arm 18 pivoted at its end support to a block 25 so that when the block 25 is moved to vary the symbol image size, the pin moves along lever 8 and knife-edge 16, thereby changing the effective length of lever 8 and the angle through which mirror 7 is pivoted for a given movement of knife-edge l6.

During illumination of the selected symbol 1, a rocker plate incorporating knife-edge 16 is rocked at a predetermined rate by a continuously rotating synchronous motor 10, driving plate 15 through an electromagnetic clutch 11, shaft 12, pinion l3, and a toothed sector 14 on plate 15. Mirror 7 is thereby pivoted, at an angular rate dependent on the setting of knob 26, to cause transducer 9 to provide an output pulse. The time elapsing before the provision of the output pulse is a measure of the symbol spacing as represented by the mark 3. Operation of knob 26 to vary the symbol image size automatically varies this time and hence the symbol image spacing, owing to the coupling of pin 17 to support 25.

This elapsed time is measured by means of a transparent disk 22 carrying uniformly spaced markings 23 and mounted on shaft 12. Initially a stop arm 19 on shaft 12 lies against an adjustable stop pin 20, owing to the weight of the rocker plate, when clutch 11 is engaged to rock the plate and thereby scan image 3' onto transducer 9, disk 22 rotates with shaft 12 and the markings 23 are scanned by a photosensitive transducer 24 to generate an electrical pulse train; this pulse train is terminated when transducer 9 receives image 3' and emits an output pulse. The number of pulses in the train therefore represents the elapsed time and hence the symbol image spacing. The pulses in the train are recorded in digital form in a register 31 and stored in a second register 32.

Immediately after exposure of the selected symbol, the disk 2 is unlocked and can then be rotated for selection of a further symbol. At the same time, the value stored in register 32 and representing the symbol image spacing is read out and applied through circuitry of a conventional nature to control the step motor 56, in such a way that the motor 56 rotates drum 49 through an angle corresponding to the appropriate spacing.

It will be seen therefore that the symbol matrix and the photosensitive material carrying the images are moved simultaneously instead of successively as has hitherto been the case, thereby greatly reducing the overall photosetting time.

The stop pin 20 is carried by a worm wheel 21 which can be rotated, through worm 30 by means of a knob 29 with uniform graduations thereon. By rotation of knob 29, the initial position of arm 19 and hence of mirror 7 can be adjusted to increase or decrease the spacing of each symbol image by a predetermined constant amount.

In the embodiment described storage of the sensed spacing iseffected electronically, it is to be understood thatv any other method of storage, e.g. storage by mechanical means may be used.

The mark 3 may represent the desired spacing in analogue fasion by its position on disk 2, or by its width or any other convenient attribute. It may be sensed or scanned optically, mechanically, electrically or in any other convenient way. In the case of the machine illustrated, the spacing is represented by the separation of the mark from an actual or imaginary zero position associated with the symbol and in the same position with respect to each symbol; the zero position may for example correspond to an edge of the symbol, or to a reference mark controlling the locking of the disk in position.

Iclaim:

l. A photosetting machine of the kind wherein a photosensitive material is exposed successively to selected matrix symbols, and comprising spacing-transport means arranged to effect a spacing movement after exposureof said material to a selected symbol thereby to provide on said material a succession of images of the selected symbols, each matrix symbol being associated with a mark representing the spacing appropriate to the associated symbol, sensing means arranged to sense the mark associated with a selected symbol during exposure of the latter thereby to determine the spacing represented by the mark, storage means connected to the sensing means for storing the said spacing temporarily, and connected to said spacing-transport means for effecting said spacing movement in accordance with the stored spacing after said exposure, said sensing means comprising scanning means including a swingable reflector arranged, when sprung, to scan an image of the mark relative to a photosensitive transducer, a lever arm fast with the reflector, an intermediate member in contact with the lever arm for transmitting movement to the lever arm for swinging the reflector, the intermediate member being movable in the longitudinal direction of the lever arm thereby to vary the effective length of the lever arm and hence to adjust the relation between the spacing represented on the matrix by the mark, and the sensed spacing, a knife-edge in contact with the intermediate member and means for moving the knife-edge at a predetermined rate thereby to move the intermediate member and swing the reflector, a rocker member formed with the knife edge, a driven shaft in driving relation with the rocker member, a graduated disk on the shaft and means for sensing the disk graduations on rotation of the shaft thereby to provide a pulse train, the said sensing means being connected to the storage means to supply the pulse train to the latter, and the photosensitive transducer being connected to terminate the pulse train on scanning of the image of the mark.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1 in which the storage means comprises a register adapted to store the sensed spacing in digital form.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 1 in which the storage means comprises first and second digital registers in series, and the spacing-transport means comprises a step motor under the control of the second register.-

4. A machine as claimed inclaim 1 including image adjusting means for adjusting the size of the symbol image on the photosensitive material, said adjusting means being coupled to the intermediate member for automatically adjusting the image spacing in accordance with adjustment of the image size.

5. A photocomposition machine, comprising:

a matrix of symbols each associated with a mark representing a spacing appropriate to the symbol; optical means defining a symbol-selection station for transmitting an image of a selected symbol to an image-forming station; means for displacing said matrix relative to said selection station for positioning a selected symbol at said selection station; transport means for displacing a photosensitive material at said image-forming station;

scanning means for scanning the mark associated with the selected symbol at said selection station and producing a signal representing the scan of the mark;

storage means connected to said scanning means for temporarily storing said signal during the formation of an image of a selected symbol on said photosensitive material; and

means connecting said transport means with said storage means for advancing said photosensitive material through a distance determined by the stored signal during displacement of said matrix for disposition of a further symbol at said selection station, said scanning means including means for angularly sweeping a light beam across said mark, and

signal-generating means for producing a train of pulses and connected to the means for sweeping said beam across said mark whereby said train of pulses forms said signal, said storage means including a register connected to said signal-generating means.

6. The machine defined in claim 5, further comprising stepless transmission means between said means for sweeping said beam across said mark and said signalgencrating means and adjustable to vary the output of said signal-generating means in a predetermined relationship to the angle swept by said beam across said mark.

7. The machine defined in claim 6 wherein said means for sweeping said beam across said mark includes a swingable reflector, an arm rigid with said reflector, an intermediate member engageable with said arm for transmitting movement thereto to swing said reflector and means for adjusting the effective length of said arm.

8. The machine defined in claim 7 further comprising transducer means responsive to said beam for terminating the generation of said pulses. 

1. A photosetting machine of the kind wherein a photosensitive material is exposed successively to selected matrix symbols, and comprising spacing-transport means arranged to effect a spacing movement after exposure of said material to a selected symbol thereby to provide on said material a succession of images of the selected symbols, each matrix symbol being associated with a mark representing the spacing appropriate to the associated symbol, sensing means arranged to sense the mark associated with a selected symbol during exposure of the latter thereby to determine the spacing represented by the mark, storage means connected to the sensing means for storing the said spacing temporarily, and connected to said spacing-transport means for effecting said spacing movement in accordance with the stored spacing after said exposure, said sensing means comprising scanning means including a swingable reflector arranged, when sprung, to scan an image of the mark relative to a photosensitive transducer, a lever arm fast with the reflector, an intermediate member in contact with the lever arm for transmitting movement to the lever arm for swinging the reflector, the intermediate member being movable in the longitudinal direction of the lever arm thereby to vary the effective length of the lever arm and hence to adjust the relation between the spacing represented on the matrix by the mark, and the sensed spacing, a knife-edge in contact with the intermediate member and means for moving the knife-edge at a predetermined rate thereby to move the intermediate member and swing the reflector, a rocker member formed with the knife edge, a driven shaft in driving relation with the rocker member, a graduated disk on the shaft and means for sensing the disk graduations on rotation of the shaft thereby to provide a pulse train, the said sensing means being connected to the storage means to supply the pulse train to the latter, and the photosensitive transducer being connected to terminate the pulse train on scanning of the image of the mark.
 2. A machine as claimed in claim 1 in which the storage means comprises a register adapted to store the sensed spacing in digital form.
 3. A machine as claimed in claim 1 in which the storage means comprises first and second digital registers in series, and the spacing-transport means comprises a step motor under the control of the second register.
 4. A machine as claimed in claim 1 including image adjusting means for adjusting the size of the symbol image on the photosensitive material, said adjusting means being coupled to the intermediate member for automatically adjusting the image spacing in accordance with adjustment of the image size.
 5. A photocomposition machine, comprising: a matrix of symbols each associated with a mark representing a spacing appropriate to the symbol; optical means defining a symbol-selection station for transmitting an image of a selected symbol to an image-forming station; means for displacing said matrix relative to said selection station for positioning a selected symbol at said selection station; transport means for displacing a photosensitive material at said image-forming station; scanning means for scanning the mark associated with the selected symbol at said selection station and producing a signal representing the scan of the mark; storage means connected to said scanning means for temporarily storing said signal during the formation of an image of a selected symbol on said photosensitive material; and means connecting said transport means with said storage means for advancing said photosensitive material through a distance determined by the stored signal during displacement of said matrix for disposition of a further symbol at said selection station, said scanning means including means for angularly sweeping a light beam across said mark, and signal-generating means for producing a train of pulses and connected to the means for sweeping said beam across said mark whereby said train of pulses forms said signal, said storage means including a register connected to said signal-generating means.
 6. The machine defined in claim 5, further comprising stepless transmission means between said means for sweeping said beam across said mark and said signal-generating means and adjustable to vary the output of said signal-generating means in a predetermined relationship to the angle swept by said beam across said mark.
 7. The machine defined in claim 6 wherein said means fOr sweeping said beam across said mark includes a swingable reflector, an arm rigid with said reflector, an intermediate member engageable with said arm for transmitting movement thereto to swing said reflector and means for adjusting the effective length of said arm.
 8. The machine defined in claim 7 further comprising transducer means responsive to said beam for terminating the generation of said pulses. 